City says work is needed for healthier Buena Vista Creek, but park’s users mourn loss of lush landscape

Number of invasive eucalyptus and palm trees removed as part of project

A face-lift started this month along Buena Vista Creek at Brengle Terrace Park, but the initial cut has been a little jarring for some park users in Vista who’ve grown accustomed to the area’s sweeping canopy of trees.

More than 160 invasive eucalyptus and palm trees — some more than 60 feet tall — have been removed as part of a long-term enhancement project that will eventually feature the planting of 200 new trees and other native vegetation.

City officials say the recent work was necessary for the creek’s long-term health. The trees, along with other plants and shrubs, were cut down to make way for a new nature trail and restoration project along the Buena Vista Creek.

However, some Vista residents are mourning the change in the area’s lush-leafed appearance.

Pete Marquardt said he walks at the park regularly and noticed the trees being cut down several weeks ago.

The trees were removed as a requirement of a $994,000 state grant awarded to Vista last year. One of the conditions of the grant was to take out all nonnative, invasive trees and replace them with native trees and vegetation.

“I don’t like to see trees removed, but in this case, I think it’s a good thing,” said Gary Garretson, chairman of the Vista Parks and Recreation Commission.

“We want to extend our creek-walk trail into the park,” said John Conley, Vista’s director of community development. “We see that as a big public benefit and consistent with the vision of a creek trail network from downtown Vista to Brengle Terrace Park. This grant provides for that opportunity without expending much of our local funds.”

Crews were at the park this week, working to clear some of the remaining trees and debris. Officials said they expect to complete the removal, which started about three weeks ago, by the end of next week.

City officials said the eucalyptus trees were displacing native species and creating other problems.

“The eucalyptus are a long-term hazard because they typically take over an area where they establish, and native plants don’t survive in their understory,” Conley said.

“When this occurs in or along the banks of a streambed, it can cause erosion since there’s not good plant establishment and the soil is exposed to runoff.”

Eucalyptus trees are also considered a fire hazard because of the trees’ high oil content, Conley said.

Bryan Morse, president of the Alta Vista Gardens, said he was disappointed that the trees were removed. He also said his board was not told about the restoration project.

“It just looks like a barren wasteland,” Morse said. “It will take 30 to 40 years before it looks better than it did before.”

Conley agreed that it will take some time for the new plants to grow, but added that “there is no way around this in order to restore the area.”